Protective gloves and condom maker, Ansell, has lifted its first half profit 34 per cent and expects continued growth in sales and earnings for the full year.
Ansell made a net profit of $US87.7 million ($A113.05 million) for the six months to December 31, up from $US65.6 million a year ago.
The result was driven by a more than 20 per cent increase in sales to $US847 million, with revenue growth across its divisions and a boost from its acquisition of US-based, BarrierSafe Solutions International.
Ansell CEO, Magnus Nicolin, said both the company’s core businesses and recent acquisitions had helped drive the performance.
Ansell expects to grow its full year pre-tax earnings by somewhere between 25 and 30 per cent.
“Ansell continues to expect F15 EBIT (earnings before income and taxes) percentage growth against underlying F14 EBIT to be in the high 20s based on organic growth and the successful integration of recent acquisitions,” the company said.
The company lifted its unfranked interim dividend three cents to 20 US cents per share.
AAP
